Artificial leg.



No. 694,325. Y Patented Feb. 25, |902.

' .1. A. PEER.

ARTIFICIAL LEG.

(Application filed May 16, 1901.)

(No Model.)

' No. 694,325. Patente d Feb; 25, 1902.

J. A. PEER. ARTIFICIAL LEG.

. (AppHcatio n filed May 16, 1901.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3-,

Y TATES JOHN A. PEER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ARTHUR .L. BLESSING, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

ARTIFICIAL LEG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 694,325, dated February 25, 1902.

Application filed May 16 1901.

T aZZ whom, iv may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN A. PEER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Legs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Myinvention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one form in which I have contemplated embodying my invention, and the said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the said drawings,Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved artificial leg arranged for use with a member amputated above the knee. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section of the foot. Fig. 5 is a transverse sec'tion of the same on line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 represents a section on line 6 6 of Fig. at. Fig. 7 is a view showing detached the parts of the joint used for the ankle and toe portions of the foot. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of the upper portion of the leg, showing it arranged for use with a member amputated at or slightly below the knee. Fig. 9 is a sectional View of a portion of .the leg, showing it arranged for use with a member amputated at a point considerably below the knee. Figs. 10, 11, and 12 are detail views relating to the knee-joint-or spring-hinge. Fig. 13 is a detail View of a tool used for adj usting the said kneejoint. Figs. 14 and 15 are views of a crutch attachment which may be conveniently employed in connection with the leg to relieve the wounded parts from pressure in standing or walking.

The object of my invention is to provide an artificial leg which will be capable of being used with any form of amputation by simple adjustment of the parts and which can be adj usted vertically to accommodate persons varying considerably in height, so that it will Serial a. 60,555. (No model.)

be necessary to provide only a few sizes to accommodate all cases for which an artificial leg is required. My improved artificial leg is also constructed to give the greatest possible comfort to the wearer and to enable him to use the artificial member in exactly the same manner and with the same freedom and confidence that he would a natural member.

The leg consists of three parts-to wit, the upper or thigh section, the calf or lower section, and the foot-section. In the drawings,

-A represents the thigh-section, which comprises an outer vertical stiffening-bar a, an inner stiffening-bar a, said bars being composed of wood or light metal, and the flexible side portions a a which are secured together along vertical edges at front and rear. The outer stidening-bara extends from the kneejoint to a point somewhat above the hip-joint and is secured to the outside of one of the side portions a preferablyby riveting, in such manner as to leave the inner'face of said side portion (which is preferably formed of leather or other flexible material) perfectly 7 5 smooth. The bar a is also preferablyincased by means of a strip of, sewed or otherwise secured to the side piece a and the rivets which secure the bar at to the side piece may or may not extend through the strip a, as preferred. The side piece a will be cut away from points adjacent to the top of the bar a down to the front and rear edges of said side piece, as shown, and it may also be provided with cut out portions a at the upper part to make it cooler, as shown in the drawings. The inner stiffening-bar a is se cured to its adjacent side piece a (of leather or other suitable flexible material) by riveting or otherwise and is covered by a strip a like the other stiffening-bar. The inner bar a is shorter than the outer bar, as it extends up along the inner surface of the thigh of the wearer. The front and rear edges of the flexible side portions or a are adj ustably 5 united in any suitable manner, as by lacing,

as shown in the drawing, although I do not limit myself to the use of lacing, as I may employ any equivalent construction. To the upper end of the outer bar a, which extends 10o upward beyond the inner bar, is secured a belt A, (see Fig. 1,) which passes around the or more pairs of slots a at different heights to receive the straps c c of a sling 0., provided with a cushion or pad upon which the stump of the leg (if a thigh amputation) can rest gently. The ends of straps c c are passed through one pair of the slots a in each side piece and secured by any desired means, such as buckles a", secured to the side pieces, one adjacent to each of said slots, as shown in the drawing.

The lower or calf section D of the leg is also provided with inner and outer stiffeningbars (1 d, secured to flexible side pieces 01 d and covered by strips cl d like those of the thigh-section, and the edges of the flexible side sections are adjustably secured at front and rear by lacings or otherwise. The side portions 01 d are provided each with a pair of slots 01 d to receive the straps e of a ventilating stump-supporting sling E (see Fig. 9) when the leg is used with a member amputatedconsiderably below the knee, said sling comprising a curved or cup-shaped piece of leather provided with perforations therein. The straps e e are passed through the slots d d and secured adj ustably in any desired Way, as to buckles d (1 secured to the side pieces adjacent to saidslots.

The flexible side portions of the thigh and calf sections are cut away at front and rear adjacent to the knee-joint (hereinafter described) to facilitate the action of the kneejoint and also to allow a portion of the leg of the wearer below the knee-joint to project rearwardly if the leg is to be used in such manner. provided with a knee-pad F, secured to the front side of the flexible portions d (i preferably by means of a strap f, said pad having a flapf', which extends down inside of-the calf-section, as shown in Fig. 3.

The thigh and calf sections of the leg are connected by two spring joint or hinge con nections G, the construction of which is shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11 and 12. Each of these joints comprises two circular hinge members g g, each provided with a shank g which is riveted or otherwise secured to one of the side or stiffening bars, as shown in Fig. 2. The hinge member g consists of a circular plate provided with an annular flange g a pair of stop-lugs g g and a central aperture to receive a separate hub or boss 9 provided with a series of ratchet-teeth g on its outer face and having a central recess 9 within the same. The hinge member g consists also of a circular plate provided with an annular flange g adapted to register with the flange g of the other member, stop-lugsg g,

The calf-section is also preferably a central boss 9 adapted to fit into the recess g of the boss 9 and a spring-pawl g, secured to the outer face of the plate and provided with a part projecting through an aperture in the plate in position to engage the ratchet-teeth g on the hub 0r boss 9 represents a coiled spring inclosed between the two plates g g, one end being se- H, such as is shown in Fig. 13, provided with bifurcated arms h h to engage the recesses in the boss and turn it so as to tighten the spring 9 The pawl 9 engages the ratchet-teeth of the boss and holds it in its adjusted position. The stop-lugs of one plate engage those of the other plate when the parts are moved unto the positions shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, so as to prevent the knee-joint from bending rearward. The springs g of the knee-joints can be adjusted accurately, so as to give the required pressure to throw the lower part of the leg forward in walking in the most natural manner, and the hinge-plates g g are each provided with a shoulder'g, adjacent to the attaching-shank,which shoulder bears against the edge of the other plate, so that when the parts of the leg are in line, as in standing still, all the weight is borne by these shoulders and the plates, and no weight is put upon the screw 9 or boss 9 Hence there is no tendency of the joints to get out of order or to yield under any strain that may be put upon them, the strain not coming at any time on the pivotal portions.

I also provide the thigh and calf vportion of the leg adjacent to the knee-joints ,with removable and adjustable cross-bars K for holding the stiffening-bars at the required distance apart. Thesedevices are exactly alike, and a description of one will apply to the other. The cross-bar K comprisestwo threaded bolts is, passing through the opposite side stiffening-bars and rigidly secured thereto by nuts k k on the inner sides thereof, and a central sleeve K provided with right and left hand interior threads,and a central flange k which is constructed to enable the sleeve to be rotated. In this instance the central flange is provided with a series of holes to re ceive a tool to enable the sleeve to be turned. By rotating this sleeve the side stiffeningbars can be adjusted to the desired distance apart and held rigidly in the adjusted position. It willbe obvious that these adjusting cross-bars are not required when the wearers leg extends through the portions of the artificial leg where they are located, and in such case one or both of the cross-bars will be removed, as required.

The footsection L of my improved artificial leg is shown in detail in Figs; 4, 5, 6, and7 and is constructed as follows: Z represents the ankle portion of the foot-section, which is preferably hollowed out at its upper end,

as shown at Z, and is provided on each side with a vertical slot Z and with lateralrecesses Z 1 extending from the top down to horizontal shoulders Z Z". (See Figs. 1, 2, and 5.) The lower ends of the stiffening side bars (1 d of the calf-section fit into said recesses and are secured to the foot-section by a bolt M, which passes through the slots Z l and is provided with a suitable nut m. (See Figs. 2 and 5.) By the leg can be adjusted a the length of the slots 1*, and the necessity of having so many sizes of legs in stock is avoided, as a few sizes can be made to accommodate persons of all the varying heights. When the stiffening-barsare adjusted above distance equal to the shoulders Z l blocks Z Z? will preferably be inserted between the end of said bars and the shoulders, as shown in Fig. 5.

The bottom part of-the ankle-section Zis:

provided with the front and-rear beveled faces Z Z and a rear flange 'Z 1 represents themain foot-section, provided with a hollowed-out portion Z atthe top to receive the ankle-section-and a hollowed-out portion Z on the under side. The

rear part of the upperportiou is made to fit. v The two parts are connectedby an improved ankle-joint of pecul-- within the flange L iar construction, the parts of which are shown in detail in Fig. 7. plates N N, eachprovided with a hemispherical socket a, one of saidplates beingprovided with a pair of rockers n or lugs having rounded surfaces, adapted cesses N in the other-plate.

two plates and engaging the sockets mt thereof is a ball a and a bolt 41* extends through the said plates and the ball n and holds the parts together, the bottom portionsof the sockets n being slotted, as shown at'n, to .allow the parts to rock freely.

ting them into suitable recesses, and in order to allow a small amount of play-in the joint.

I apply a rubber washer n preferablybacked by a metal washer n ,-under the head and not this means the length of order to give The joint comprises two to engagere Between the In applying thisjoint I fit one of the plates N' to the ankle-' piece land the other to the footpiece Z, fitankle portionandpermit the necessary movements of the parts with respect to each other.

The front portion of thefootpiece Z is provided with a toepiece I connected to the footpiece by a joint P, exactly similar to the ankle-joint previously described, and springs 19 p are interposed between the two parts in front of and in rear of the joint P to permit the toepiece to move with respect to the footpieoe and to restore it to normal position in walking, thus rendering the use of the artificial leg easy and natural and obviating almost entirely the awkwardness usually. accompanying the use of an artificial leg.

In Figs. 1,2, and 3'I-ha've shown the leg arranged-to accommodate a limb amputated above the knee, the stump being supported by the sling G and the side portions of the thigh-sectiomwwhich are lacedaround it. In further. support, especially in cases where the end ofthe mutilated memberistender, I provide a crutch-support-Q, (shown in Figs. ,1 and-15,) which is attached to the outer stiffening-bar A and is provided with a hinge-joint g at a pointsubstantially opposite the hip-joint of thewearer, the, upcrutch;support beingprovided per end of the with a supportq, adapted-to rest under the armpit ofthe wearer, and thusenable a largeportion of the ,weight-tobe taken off the inj ured leg. .The upper portion of the crutchsupport is preferably provided with aspring latch or pawl (1 whichv engagesa notch (1 in the'other part adjacent to the hinge (seeFig. l4) and has a tendencyto hold the parts locked when in; vertical position to prevent. them from buckling,-'whilenot interfering with the operation of the hinge in sitting down or bendingthe body. The pad F maybe detached when theleg is'used in this manner InFig. 8 the leg is shown arranged for-use with a limb amputated below the knee where it is desired to support the body partly from the knee.. In'this case thesling G is secured in the lower slots a7 a, toserve as a support for the users knee, the kneebeingfurther cushioned by the pad F. In this case. the cross-bar K will be removed from the thighsection A, asindicated in thedrawing.

In Fig 9.1 have shown the device arranged for use with a limb amputated considerably below the knee. In this case the sling E ,-is employed and both cross-bars, K K areremoved. The,;pad F protectsthe knee from chafing on the upper edges of the calf-section,

and the flap f protectsthe leg of the wearer from. rubbing against the lacings at the front of the calf-section.

It will be seen thatthe leg can be used for anykind of an amputation, and bymeans Ofthe adjustable connection between the calfsection and the foot one size of leg can be adjusted to accommodate persons varying considerably in of the leg need be manufactured orkept in stock to supply any ,usual demand. Y

height, so that only a few sizes In action the artificial limb is thoroughly under control and will act so nearly like a natural limb as to enable the wearer to walk easily and Without apparent eifort and to 'make anyordinary movements with precision.

WVhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- ,v 1. An artificial leg, comprising among its members a thigh portion having side stiffena spring for said hinge connection and de-.

Vices for adjusting the tension of said spring having a part extending to the exterior of said hinge connection adapted to be operatedwithout separating the parts of said hinge connection, substantiallyas described.

3. An artificial leg comprising among its members, the thigh and calf sections, a hinge connection connecting said sections comprising two plates pivotally connected, and provided with stops to prevent the hinge from opening rearward, a spring for said hinge connection, a rotatable adjusting device for said spring and devices for holding said rotatable device in its adjusted position, substantially as described. 7 1

4. An artificial leg comprising among its members, the thigh and calf sections, hinge connections between said sections, each comprising a pair of plates, pivotally connected, a rotatable part disposed concentrically with the pivot of said plates and provided with ratchet-teeth, a coiled spring between said plates, secured to one of said plates, and to said rotatable part, and a pawl on the other plate engaging said ratchet-teeth, substantially as described.

5. An artificial leg comprising among its members the thigh andealf sections, a hinge connection between said sections consisting of two plates, one secured to each section, each plate being provided with a part to engage a part of the other plate to limit the movement of the hinge in one direction, a rotatable hub passing through one of said plates and provided outside the hinge with means for turning it, a spring secured at one end to one of said plates and at the other end to said hub, ratchet-teeth on said h ub, a pawl secured to one of said plates and engaging said ratchetteeth, and a pivot passing through said hub, and holding said plates together,substantiall y as described.

6. An artificial leg comprising among its members the thigh and calf sections, separate hinge connections between said sections locatcd at the inner and outer sides thereof, said calf-section being provided with a crossbar adjacent to said hinge connections and means for adjusting said cross-bar longitudinally to regulate the width of said thigh-sections, substantially as described.

7.,An artificial leg comprising among its members the thigh and calf sections, separate hinge connections between said sections located at the inner and outer sides thereof said thigh and calf sections being each provided with a cross-bar, adjacent to said hinge connections, and means for adjusting each of said cross-bars longitudinally to regulate the width of said sections, to insure the proper operation of said hinge connections, substantially as described.

8. An artificial leg comprising among its members, thigh and calf sections, each provided with lateral stifiening-bars, and flexible side portions, hinge connections between the adjacent stifiening-bars of said sections, each section being provided with a removable, adjustable crossbar engaging its stilfeningbars, adjacent to said hinge connections, substantially as described. i

9. An artificial leg comprising among its members, thigh and calf sections, each provided with lateral stifiening-bars, and flexible side portions, hinge connections between the adjacent stiffening-bars of said sections, each section being provided with a removable and adjustable cross-bar, comprising threaded rods or bolts extending through opposite stiffening-bars, adjacent-to said hinge connections, nuts on said rods or bolts for securing each to one of said bars, and asleeve provided with right and left threaded apertures connecting said rods or bolts, substantially as described.

10. An artificial leg comprising among its members, the thigh-section and calf-section hinged together, each section being provided with a means for holding and vertically adjusting a leg-supporting sling, and a sling adapted to be secured to eithersection and vertically adjusted therein substantially as described.

11. An artificial leg comprising among its members, the thigh-section provided with lateral stifiening-bars, flexible side portions and a plurality of strap-securing devices in diiierent vertical planes, of a sling provided with supporting-straps for engaging adjustably said strap securing devices, to enable the sling to be adjusted vertically, substantially as described.

' 12. An artificial leg comprising among its members the thigh-section composed of inner and outer side bars and flexible side portions connected therewith, the outer side bar being extended upward beyond the inner side bar, means foradjustably securing said flexible side portions together, a belt secured to the upper end of said outer side bar, and a crutchsupport pivotally connected to said-outer side bar below its upper end, at a point substantially in line with the hip-joint, substantially as described.

13. An artificial leg comprising among its members, the thigh-section provided with lateral stilfening-bars, and flexible side portions, a crutch-support hinged to theouter of said stifiening-bars at a point substantially in line with the hip-joint and a spring-pawl adapted toengage a recess in a part connected with said crutch-support to hold it in line with said stiffening-bar, substantially as described.

14. An artificial leg comprising among its members the thigh-section and calf-section each provided with lateral stiffening-bars,and flexible side portions secured thereto and adjustably connected to each other, hinge connections between adjacent stiffening-bars, a removable cross-bar, engaging the side bars of each section, devices on each section for holding and vertically adjusting a sling, and a sling adapted to be secured to either of said sections, substantially as described.

15. An artificial leg comprising among its members, a thigh and calf sections, each provided with a pair 'of lateral stiffening-bars, and flexible side portions, of a foot-section having the outer portion thereof provided with a vertically-disposed part adapted to extend up within the lower part of the calf-section and provided on each side with a Vertical recess to receive the lower ends of the side bars of said calf portion and a detachable bolt passing through said stiffeningbars and said vertically-disposed part, and forming the sole connection between the fo0t-section and calf-section, substantially as described.

16. An artificial leg comprising among its members thigh and calf sections each provided with a pair of lateral stiffening-bars, and flexible side portions, of a foot-section having the outer portion thereof provided with a vertically-disposed part adapted to extend up within the lower part of the calf-section and provided on each side with a vertical recess to receive the lower ends of the side bars of said calf portion, the said Vertica'lly-disposed portion of the foot-section, and the contiguous portionsof said side bars beingprovided with registering vertically-disposed slots, and a detachable bolt passing through said slots and forming the sole connection between the foot-section and calf-section, substantially as described.

17. An artificial leg comprisingamongits members, the foot-section provided with parts movable with respect to each other and a joint connecting said parts including two plates, each provided with hemispherical sockets, the one plate being provided with rocker-lugs and the other with'recesses to receive said lugs, a ball interposed between'said plates and engaging the hemispherical sockets thereof, and a bolt passing through slotted portions of said plates and through said ball, substantially as described.

- Intestimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

' JOHN A. PEER.

Witnesses:

JOHN E. McGULLY, JOHN C. RIsTINE. 

